TheJohn MaythamShow

The absence of black legal counsel during hearings on social grants saga at the Constitutional Court has brought back into the spotlight the unfair briefing patterns in the legal fraternity.

The ConCourt heard arguments from various parties wanting to ensure that 17 million social grants beneficiaries are paid on April 1.

Advocates for Transformation chairperson, Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, says there needs to be a debate on why government, private sector and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) prefer being represented by white male advocates.

White practitioners have no say in this thing. I can't blame them. If work comes their way, they should take it.

— Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, Advocates for Transformation chairperson

You need an Indaba where you can actually bring everyone from all these sections that I have indicated who are actually briefing counsel. Let's have a debate. Maybe on this day, we will hear why it is that they use white practitioners.